In A Twinkling (Larry Stylinson)

December 23 - Thursday

Part 22 recap...

Louis returned from the city and went to visit Beth, revealing that he wanted to buy the Garden Centre...

"I'm heading out now, Nan," Louis says as he rounds the bottom of the stairs, poking his head inside the sitting room to find his Nan doing her crocheting in front of the fire.

She looks up, the firelight flickering on her face. "Have a great time, love. Did you want me to wait up?"

"Nah, I'm good. Probably won't be back until late. You know how Niall and Liam get after a few drinks."

"You taking the car?"

"Yeah. Gonna stick to the waters tonight. You need anything before I go?"

"No, I'm fine, thanks, dear. I'll see you in the morning," and then adds with a smirk, "Almost Birthday Boy."

Louis rolls his eyes fondly. "Thanks, Nan."

He takes his jacket off the hook and pockets his wallet and phone, grabbing the keys from the bowl on the hall table and heading out into the night. The snow is falling gently, little swirling flakes kissing his cheeks as he jogs to the car.

He'd had a late lunch to prepare for his late dinner with the lads, which is a Birthday Eve tradition they've been partaking in for years now. It used to be so that the boys could ring-in Louis' birthday with him, waiting until the clock ticked over midnight to toast another year passing, but the last few years they've bailed a bit earlier than that to let Tammy close up on time. Still, the tradition stands.

The smell of mulled wine invades his senses as soon as he steps over the threshold of the pub, a larger than usual crowd packed in for a Thursday night now that Christmas is almost upon them. There's a live band in the corner near the Christmas tree, every table occupied and groups standing around the bar. He doesn't manage to catch Tammy's eye as he comes in, her attention firmly focused on the two-person-deep line-up in front of her.

He spots Niall and Liam at their usual booth, streamers hung over the backs of the high seats and a couple of balloons stuck on the bottom of the framed picture on the wall over the booth.

"Lou!" Niall shouts, waving his hand wildly as he sees Louis walking over, seeming to be in good spirits and Louis can make a pretty good guess as to why that might be when he sees the four empty Guinness glasses stacked at the end of the table.

"Aye up, lads," Louis greets as he slides into the booth.

"Happy Birthday Eve!" Niall shouts even though Louis is no more than a few feet away from him, holding up his hand for a high-five.

Louis chuckles and glances over at Liam as he slaps Niall's hand, finding Liam looking at Niall with that fond and slightly exasperated expression he gets when the love of his life is being an adorable idiot.

"Hey, Lou," Liam says when he drags his gaze away from Niall.

"Reckon we should get some food in him, yeah?" Louis suggests and Liam smiles in agreement before Louis cranes his neck around, catching Polly's eye. She gives him a nod and holds up a finger to indicate that she'll be over to them in a minute.

"How was your trip, mate?"

He'd let them in on a few bits and pieces about his visit to the city, just general stuff in their group chat, but none of the details as yet.

"Yeah!" Niall shouts, again, his volume always increasing relative to the number of beers he's had. "Did you speak to Harry?"

"Inside voice, babe," Liam says and pulls a frowning Niall closer into his side. "Lou's right there, no need to shout."